Study & Work again

Hello faithful blog followers! I thought it was about time the blog was updated even though we are both really busy and I do not have the camera handy to upload photos from our engagement party. We have both had a whirlwind few days from our time in QLD. The engagement party was unbelievable and came together so well. I had no idea that Anne & Kevin had planned those interactive questions during the speeches but I think it was my highlight from the whole day. Another highlight would certainly be trying to pack our large pile of presents into 2 suitcases while keeping under the stringent Jetstar baggage allowance. I think I might write a book entitled "1001 reasons not to fly Jetstar even when they have the price/time you need".

Since returning Monday night, we have got back into study & work again. For me, I have crazy amounts of work to be done so I am trusting completely in God to help my through and have got to the very healthy stage of knowing that worry can't help me get things done and I am somehow at peace with the whole situation. We are in the final two weeks of our term so there is certainly lots to be done. Anybody want to do a presentation for me tommorow?

- Nathan

P.S. I was very encouraged by the amount of people at the engagement party who said they have been reading the blog. I am glad we have such a large subscription and the award for the most dedicated follower goes to Steve Brine who leaves the blog open on one of his computer monitors 24/7 =)

New Friends

Anisia & I met with our new neighbours (well Anisia's neighbours) on Monday and they invited us to their wedding on Sunday! We were so thrilled to go and, obviously, planning a wedding for ourselves - we took lots of notes. So here are Jackie & Richard...

Leading at Salisbury

Anisia and I have definitely had another FUN & FULL weekend!! Today, for the very first time, I lead an entire church service for the Salisbury congregation where I am placed. In fact, I led two services: the traditional at 8AM and the contemporary at 9:30AM. I felt so privileged to lead the congregation because for the first time I was dealing with "real people" rather than the tiny community of ALC where I have led small services before. I was a little bit nervous at the start but soon got into it. And, for those following the blog, the new-look beard stayed. In fact, people made many positives comments to me afterwards about the services, but not one mentioned the beard at all! Obviously, my facial hair does not get noticed as much as I might think! Perhaps I need to grow it longer...

A weekend with Joshua!!

We were very blessed to have Joshua stay with me on Friday and Saturday night this weekend which was LOTS of fun!! We went to Cleland Wildlife Park (in the Adelaide Hills) and got to get really close to HEAPS of animals. We had a ball!! My favourite was feeding the kangaroos. Joshua loved the Tasmanian devil the most: especially feeding time when you could hear it crunch through the bones of the kangaroo tail it was eating!



We also enjoyed a game of Carcassonne including Mayors and Abbey expansion and lots and lots of drawing! Nanna and Poppa Scholz also joined us for morning tea on Saturday morning which was a nice surprise.

Nathan's Dinner

And I am here to enjoy the tasty dinner Nathan is about to prepare! He is very precious indeed!!

Study Holiday

And here is the action live from Nathan's work desk! There are snacks to keep me going and a pile of books not in the photo which I suppose I should refer to from time-to-time =) Most people spend their holidays kicking back, as for me, I am busy catching up on assignments and spend most of my day in front of the computer. Although, I have to admit, that I am enjoying a more flexible start in the morning... 

In other news... Steve Maas (new pastor at Pinnaroo and close friend) is traveling to Adelaide today is going to sleep over tonight and tomorrow night.  It should be good and signals the start of the weekend where we get entertain Joshua for all of Saturday and I get a much needed study break. I just hope I get enough done before then!

5th Day

I think it is now the 5th day since I decided to stop shaving and try something different! =) I have never let my hair grow before but have been inspired by holidays and Neish suggesting one day that I didn't need to shave because I looked GREAT with some manly hair. So I guess I'll keep you updated with the progress. I have to lead church this Sunday so that'll be the real test as to whether I keep it or not...

- Nathan

   
 

Gepps Cross Market

Anisia and I have established a new routine on our way home from church - visiting the Gepps Cross Market. I don't think either one of us will ever pay full price for fresh FRUIT & VEGE again!

Power outage

So what was the surprise last night? A trip to the Port Adelaide vs. Brisbane Lions match at AAMI stadium =) Although, it wasn't a complete surprise for Neish because I had inadvertently said the word "football" on Friday night and thus ruined the surprise. But, that doesn't matter, we had a FANTASTIC night of football thanks to the mighty lions and their efforts in the fourth quarter. At first it seemed like the match was a forgone conclusion and there was nothing for the tiny brigade of lions fans to cheer about at all. Then it rained as if to add insult to injury and while we went out of the stadium for a minute to be undercover the lions scored 2 or 3 goals which was a nice change! Then, to our surprise, and everybody else's, the lions continued to score and managed to even the scores and then overtake port quite quickly! We went out in sadness (see picture) but came back with plenty to cheer about (see picture). =) Being new to AFL, I learnt much about passionate Power supporters and how to make friends at church even when you don't support their team but just because your team beat their arch enemies. (YES, I wore my lions scarf to church to see what would happen)

- Nathan

Port & 500

The great tradition of Port & 500 continues in the Lutheran church! =) Last night I attended the board games evening at the student centre and played good old 500 with Kellermeister's Chocolate Sable (Jordan - you would be impressed). I also ate more chocolate than I have in a long time and made up for my less-than-usual chocolate consumption over Easter. My team, team Jenna & Nathan, thrashed the opposition making our way to 500 each game and nearly getting the other team to -500 on two or three occasions. Perhaps Lutherans should use this card playing tradition as a means of evangelism? It's a great way to socialise and win at the same time =)

Stay posted for what we get up to tonight. I am taking Neish on a mystery date which I know she'll love =) I just hope it doesn't rain...

Cheerio
Nathan

Pictures tell a thousand words...

Hello family & friends!

Anisia and I have been trying to get onto the blog for several days now but have been thwarted by dodgy internet and lack of time. But, at last, you can see what we have been up to the last little while! Life continues to be full of activity as a newly engaged couple and there are more things to write about than I can possibly remember. Rather than making comment on all the photos below I hope that the pictures themselves can tell a thousand words and our future posts might be a little more frequent. Speaking of more frequent - it would be great to get some feedback on the blog via comments. Don't be shy. We would love to hear from you all and know that people are actually reading this!

shalom lekem

- Nathan

P.S. How about the dessert Neish made for Renee & Matthias!! YUM! I think we dubbed it "Raspberry Neish"

North Adelaide Food & Wine Festival

 

Rachael & Tyson Weekend